Parental Allowance Calculator: How Much Will You Receive?

Use the parental allowance calculator to see how much support you’ll receive after your baby arrives.

Parental allowance (Elterngeld) is a government benefit designed to financially support parents who experience a temporary reduction or complete loss of income due to childcare and child-rearing. It enables parents to take time off after the birth of their child by stepping away from their careers or switching to part-time employment, with a partial compensation for the loss of income.

Calculating the Basic Parental Allowance

The core component of the parental allowance benefit is the basic parental allowance (Basiselterngeld). This is typically paid for the first twelve months after the child’s birth. This period can be extended to 14 months if you are a single parent or if your partner takes at least two months of parental leave. The monthly amount of the basic parental allowance is based on your income before the birth. Generally, you will receive 65% of your average net income from the twelve months preceding the child’s birth. This income, referred to as “Elterngeldnetto,” may differ from your actual net income on your payslip because it is calculated using a simplified formula. Income from a mini-job is also included in this calculation. In months where you do not earn any income, the parental allowance amounts to 65% of your pre-birth income. If you work during the parental allowance period, 65% of the difference between your income before and after returning to work will be paid for those months. The parental allowance ranges from a minimum of 300 euros to a maximum of 1,800 euros per month.

Income Thresholds and Additional Benefits

Parental allowance is intended to support parents facing financial setbacks due to childcare. The sources do not specify an absolute income threshold below which no parental allowance is paid, but the maximum amount of 1,800 euros per month sets a clear upper limit. In addition, there are two important supplements that can increase your benefit: the sibling bonus and the multiple birth supplement.

The sibling bonus is granted if you have one or more young children. Specifically, you receive it if a sibling is younger than three years old, or if two siblings are younger than six years old. You are also eligible for a sibling with a disability who is younger than 14 years old. The bonus generally increases your parental allowance by 10 percent. The minimum increase is 75 euros for the basic parental allowance or 37.50 euros for parental allowance plus.

For multiple births such as twins or triplets, the parental allowance is not simply multiplied. Instead, a multiple birth supplement applies. This supplement is 300 euros per additional child per month for the basic parental allowance or 150 euros for parental allowance plus.

Parental Allowance Plus: Flexibility for Returning to Work

Parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus) is a flexible alternative if you do not wish to return to full-time work immediately after your child’s birth but prefer to transition back in part-time. The monthly parental allowance plus is half the amount of the monthly basic parental allowance. The advantage lies in its duration: you can receive parental allowance plus for a longer period than basic parental allowance, provided you do not earn any additional income alongside parental allowance plus. This option offers longer financial support and allows for a smoother return to professional life.

Determining Your Entitlement: The Online Calculator

The various regulations and calculations surrounding parental allowance can be complex. To accurately determine your individual entitlement and plan the most suitable benefit period, parental allowance calculators are an invaluable resource. These online tools can calculate both basic parental allowance and parental allowance plus. Some calculators also offer a benefit period configurator, allowing you to explore different scenarios. An approximate, non-binding calculation of your parental allowance is possible, for example, using the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs’ parental allowance calculator. These calculators help you better understand and plan the financial aspects of your parental leave.

Tags: parental allowance, family, government benefits

Try it yourself: Parental Allowance Calculator (Germany)